Hormones and Endocrinology Flashcards

1
Q

Which hormones cross the membrane and which don’t?

A

Lipid soluble can cross

Water soluble require receptors to cross

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2
Q

Definition of hormones

A

Chemical messenger molecules that circulate in the blood and act on target cells

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3
Q

What is the difference between the endocrine, paracrine and autocrine response?

A

Endocrine - wen target cell is some distance away from the secretory cells
Pracrine- Target cell close/adjacent to secretory cell
Autocrine - released, hits target cell then loops back and binds to secretory cell to have negative feedback

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4
Q

Give examples of small chemicals/modifies amino acids

A

Dopamine

Adrenaline

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5
Q

Give examples of protein hormones

A
Oxytocin
ADH
Growth Hormone (somatotropin)
Prolactin
FSH
TSH
Insulin
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6
Q

Where are oxytocin and ADH produced?

A

Posterior pituitary

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7
Q

Where are Growth Hormone and Prolactin produced?

A

Anterior pituitary

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8
Q

What is the role of Growth Hormone?

A

Stimulates growth, cell division and regeneration

A mitogen - specific to certain types of cells

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9
Q

What is Prolactin?

A

198 residue protein (23kDa)

Closely related to GH and Placental Lactogen (PL) with properties and functions resembling both a hormone and cytokine

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10
Q

Where are FSH and TSH produced?

A

Anterior Pituitary

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11
Q

FSH and TSH are hetero-dimeric, what does this mean

A

Both parts bind to the receptor

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12
Q

Why can’t proteins be given by the oral route?

What other routes can be used?

A

Proteins get digested
Injection
Aerosols
Depot formulations

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13
Q

Which hormones are derived from Tyrosine?

A
Dopamine
Noradrenaline
Adrenaline
T3
T4
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14
Q

Which hormones are derived from Tryptophan?

A

Melatonin

(derived from dietary tryptophan VIA serotonin

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15
Q

Where is serotonin converted to Melatonin?

A

Pineal Gland

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16
Q

What is structurally similar in steroid hormones?

A

All have teh same basic C17, 4 ring structure

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17
Q

Give examples of steroid hormones (lipid derived) and their C number

A

Oestradiol C18
Testosterone C19
Progesterone C21
Cortisol C21

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18
Q

What can aromatase (Anastazole) inhibitors be used for?

A

Patients with breast cancer (where tumour is oestrogen recpetor positive)

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19
Q

What are the two types of endocrine organs?

A

Primary - function is the secretion of hormones

Secondary - non-endocrine function

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20
Q

Where are the hypothalamus, pituitary and pineal glands?

A

Hypothalamus: below the thalamus, above the brain stem
Pituitary: in a small bone cavity below the hypothalamus
Pineal gland: epithalamus, between 2 hemispheres in the centre of the brain

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21
Q

Where are the hypothalamus, pituitary and pineal glands?

A

Hypothalamus: below the thalamus, above the brain stem
Pituitary: in a small bone cavity below the hypothalamus (sella turcica)
Pineal gland: epithalamus, between 2 hemispheres in the centre of the brain

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22
Q

What kind of hormones does the pineal gland produce?

A

Melatonin - helps regulate circadian rhythm

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23
Q

Where are the Thyroid and Parathyroid glands?

A

Neck region just beow the larynx

Sitting above and around the trachea

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24
Q

What does the thyroid gland produce and what do these do?

A

Produces T3 and T4
These help regulate metabolism
Produces calcitinin
This regilates production of calcium

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25
Q

What does the parathyroid gland produce and why?

A

PTH - parathyroid hormone

When biological signal goes down [Ca] - regulates

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26
Q

Where is the thymus?

A

Close to the heart

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27
Q

What happens in the thymus?

A

T-lymphocytes mature

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28
Q

What hormone does the thymus produce and what does this do?

A

Thymosin

Stimulates activity of T cells and antibody production in the bone-marrow

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29
Q

Which hormones are produces by the Islets of Langerhans (pancreas)?

A
Insulin
Glucagon
Somatostatin
Ghrelin
Pancreatic
Polypeptide
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30
Q

How much of the pancreas is assciated with digestion and how much with endocrine function?

A

99% digestion

1% endocrine

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31
Q

What is hyposecretion (endocrine disorder)?

A

A gland does not produce enough of its hormones

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32
Q

What is hypersecretion (endocrine disorders)?

A

A gand produces too much of its hormone

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33
Q

What are the two tumour types that may develop in endocrine glands?

A

Malignant - cancerous

Benign - non-cancerous

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34
Q

Give examples of diseases caused by hypersecretion of hormones

A

Hyperinsulinsim
Cushing’s
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
Graves’ disease

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35
Q

Give examples of diseases caused by hyposecretion of hormones

A

Diabetes
Hypothyroidism
Addison’s

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36
Q

Give examples of two types of endocrine gland tumours

A

Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia

Pheochromocytoma

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37
Q

Where are the adrenal glands and what are they responsible for?

A

On the top of the kidneys

Release hormones in response to stress

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38
Q

What are the two regions of the adrenal glands and which hormones do they release?

A

Central medulla - adrenaline and noradrenaline

Outer cortex - steroids e.g. cortisol

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39
Q

What effect does cortisol have on steroid synthesis

A

Negative

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40
Q

Which part of the brain detects stress?

A

Hypothalamus

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41
Q

What happens when cortisol is released?

A

Increase blood glucose

Has negative feedback

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42
Q

Which hormones do the ovaries secrete?

A

Steroids - oestrogen and progesterone

Protein hormones - inhibin and relaxin

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43
Q

What is the role of the ovaries?

A

Sexual development and reproduction

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44
Q

What are the ovaries regulated by?

A
Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
Luteinizing hormone (LH)
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45
Q

Where are the testes located?

A

In the scrotum

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46
Q

Functions of the testes

A
Spermatogenesis
Steroid hormones (androgens - mainly testosterone)
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47
Q

What are the testes regulate by?

A

FSH and LH

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48
Q

What is the role of the placenta?

A

Links developing feotus to the maternal uterine wall

Facilitates nutrient uptake, removal of waste products and gas exchange via the maternal blood supply

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49
Q

Which hormones does the placenta produce?

A

Steroids - oestrogen and progesterone

Protein - chorionic gonadotropin (CG), corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH), placental lactogenic (PL)

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50
Q

Which hormones does the placenta produce?

A

Steroids - oestrogen and progesterone

Protein - chorionic gonadotropin (CG), corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH), placental lactogenic (PL)

51
Q

What hormone does the heart produce and what does it do?

A

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)

Stimulates kidneys to secrete more salt = decreases excess blood volume (combating high BP and sodium concs)

52
Q

How many hormones does the GIT produce?

A

30

53
Q

What hormones do the kidneys secrete? What does it do?

A

Juxtaglomerular cells secrete renin
Renin indirectly signals adrenal cortex to secrete aldosterone
Erythropoietin signals bone marrow to increase RBC production

54
Q

What hormones does the skin secrete?

A

Modified cholesterol with UV exposure becomes Vitamin D precursor
Vitamin D necessary for calcium metabolism - signals intestine to absorb calcium

55
Q

What connects the pituitary gland to the hypothalamus?

A

Infundibulum

56
Q

How does the anterior pituitary link to the hypothalamus?

A

Circulatory system link:
Parvicellular neurons secrete regulatory hormones into the bloodstream
These travel through the portal system to the AP - triggers secretion of other hormones

57
Q

How does the posterior pituitary link to the hypothalamus?

A

Direct neuro-endocrine link:

Magnocellular neurons have long axons which extend down into the posterior pituitory lobe

58
Q

What is PRH and what does it do?

A

Prolactin Releasing hormone (hypothetical)

Positive effect on the AP to produce prolactin which affects mammary development and lactation

59
Q

What is PIH and what does it do?

A

Prolactin Inhibiting hormone (Dopamine)

Negative effect on the AP to reduce production of prolactin which affects mammary development and lactation

60
Q

What is TRH and what does it do?

A

Thyrotropin Releasing hormone (TRH)
Positive effect on the AP to produce Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) causing secretion of thyroid hormones by thyroid gland

61
Q

What is CRH and what does it do?

A

Corticotropin Releasing hormone (CRH)
Has a positive effect on the AP to produces Adrenocorticotropic hormone (CTH) which affects the Adrenal cortex so more production of steroid hormones

62
Q

What is GHRH and what does it do?

A

Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone
Has a positive effect on the AP to produce more GH and increase growth and secretion of insulin like growth factors from the liver

63
Q

What is GHIH and what does it do?

A

Growth Hormone Inhibiting Hormone (Somatostatin)
Has a negative effect on the AP to produce less GH and reduce growth and secretion of insulin like growth factors from the liver

64
Q

What is GNRH and what does it do?

A

Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GNRH)

Has a positive effect on the AP to increase FSH and LH production and increase goads for the production of sex hormones

65
Q

What are tropic hormones?

A

Act on another primary endocrine gland to produce effector hormones (Non-tropic act directly on other tissues)

66
Q

Name all the anterior pituitary hormones

A
FSH
LH
Adrenocorticotropic hormone 
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
Prolactin
Growth Hormone
67
Q

What is the role of FSH and LH?

A

Sythesised, stored and secreted from the gonadotropes
Stimulates ovaries to produces oestrogen and testes to produce testosterone
LH - role in ovulation and corpus luteum growth. Stimulates androgen secretion by interstitial cells in testes

68
Q

What is the role of ACTH?

A

Sythesised, stored and secreted from corticotropes

Stimulates adrenal gland cortex to produce corticosteroids such as aldosterone and cortisol

69
Q

What is the role of TSH?

A

Sythesised, stored and secreted from the thyroid gland to produce T3 and T4

70
Q

What is the most common pituitary tumour? How is this treated?

A

Prolactinoma

Dopamine receptor agonists (PIH) - bromocriptine, cabergoline

71
Q

What is prolactin synthesized and secreted by?

A

Lactotropes

72
Q

What is Growth Hormone synthesized and secreted by?

A

Somatotropes

73
Q

What does hypersecretion of growth hormone cause in children?

A

Gigantism

74
Q

What does hypersecretion of growth hormone cause in adults?

A

Acromegaly

75
Q

What is used to treat acromegaly and how does it work?

A

Somatostatin (GHIH)

Regulates production of GH and affects cell proliferation and growth via somatostatin receptors

76
Q

Why are synthetic analgues (Sandostatin) of somatostatin used?

A

They have a much longer half life

90 mins vs 3 mins

77
Q

What can cause insufficient GH production?

A

Hypothalamic or pituitary tumour
Mutation of GH genes
Head injury or infection
Radiotherapy

78
Q

What can cause GH resistance? (Laron dwarfism)

A

GH binding protein mutations

GH receptor mutations

79
Q

How is somatropin produced?

A

Recombinant DNA technology

80
Q

Which drug is used for severe hypopituitarism? (iv injection)

A

Protirelin

81
Q

Which drug is used to treat endometriosis and infertility? (iv injection)

A

Gonadorelin

82
Q

Which drug is used to treat pituitary diabetes insipidus? (injection)

A

Vasopressin

83
Q

How does oxytocin differ from vasopressin

A

By two amino acids (Phe-Ile) (Arg-Leu)

84
Q

What are the functions of axytocin?

A

Stimulates milk ejection
Stimulates smooth muscle contraction at birth
Establishment of maternal behaviour

85
Q

What is the synthetis form of oxytocin?

A

Pitocin

86
Q

What is the function of ADH?

A

Binds to receptors on collecting duct cells in kidney = synthesis and insertion of aquaporins into kidney tubules
Water reabsorption promoted

87
Q

What are the two types of diabetes insipidus and how do they differ?

A

Hypothalamic (central) - deficiency in vasopressin secretion

Nephtogenic - kidney is insensitive to vasopressin

88
Q

What is hypothalamic diabetes caused by?

A

Head trauma
Infections
Tumours involving hypothalamus

89
Q

What is nephrogenic diabetes caused by?

A

Renal disease

Mutations in the vasopressin receptor gene or in the gene encoding aquaproin-2

90
Q

How is hypothalamic diabetes treated?

A

Use and exogenous vasopressin

91
Q

How is nephrogenic diabetes treated?

A

Increase water consumption

92
Q

What do pinealocytes secrete?

A

Melatonin

93
Q

What is production of melatonin inhibited by?

A

Light to the retina

94
Q

What can melatonin be used to treat?

A

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and insomnia

95
Q

What does the Zona Glomerulosa produce?

A

Mineralocorticoids - Aldosterone

96
Q

What does the Zona Fasciculata produce?

A

Glucocorticoid - Cortisol

97
Q

What does the Zona Reticularis produce?

A

Adrenal Androgens

Androstendiones

98
Q

What is the rate limiting step of steroidogenesis?

A

Cholesterol to pregenolone

99
Q

What are the physiological actions of Glucocorticoids?

A

Metabolic effects
Anti-inflammatory
Immunosuppressive

100
Q

What are the physiological actions of Mineralcorticoids?

A

Water and Electrolyte balance

101
Q

What are the physiological actions of Adrenal Androgens?

A

Maturation and Development

102
Q

Which corticosteroid binding globulin binds cortisol and aldosterone?

A

Transcortin

103
Q

Which steroids does transcortin not bind?

A

Synthetic steroids

104
Q

Which steroids does albumin bind?

A

Synthetic and natural

105
Q

What action do steroids have?

A

Changes in gene transcription and translation

Alter synthesis of specific proteins

106
Q

What is the mechanism of mineralocorticoids?

A

Cause Na uptake leading to fluid reabsorption and K loss

107
Q

What is the role of spironolactone?

A

Competitive inhibitor of MC receptors

Diuretic and antihypertensive

108
Q

What actions does cortisol have?

A
Lipolysis
Gluconeogenesis
Protein catabolism 
Sensitising blood vessels 
Reduce inflammation 
Negative feedback
109
Q

Give examples of short acting steroids and how long do they act for?

A

8-12 hours
Hydrocortisone
Fludrocortisone

110
Q

Give examples of intermediate acting steroids and how long do they act for?

A

12-36 hours

Prednisolone

111
Q

Give examples of long acting steroids and how long do they act for?

A

36-72 hours
Dexsmethasone
Betamethasone

112
Q

Example of a mixed GC/MC activity steroid

A

Prednisolone

113
Q

Example of a pure GC activity steroid

A

Dexamethasone
Betamethasone
Beclomethasone

114
Q

Example of a mainly MC activity steroid

A

Fludrocortisone

115
Q

How are steroids used in replacement therapy and which ones are used?

A

Addison’s Disease
Hydrocortisone (GC) with/without fludrocortisone (MC)

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
Dexamethasone, betamethasone

116
Q

What are the symptoms of Addison’s disease?

A
Appetite/weight loss
Discolouration of skin
Dehydration
Increased thirst and urination
Salt,soy sauce, liquorice cravings
Oligomenorrhoea 
No energy or motivation 
Sore/painful, weak muscles and joints
117
Q

What is congenital adrenal hyperplasia?

A
Fault in steroidogenesis pathway
Overproduction of androgens 
Limited/no cortisol negative feedback
ACTH output is raised
So synthetic steroids are used to recover the missing feedback
118
Q

How do steroids act as anti-inflammatories and immunosuppressants?
Give examples

A

They reduce mediators of inflammation and immune responses (prostaglandins, cytokines, NO, IgG)

Hydrocortisone, prednisolone, beclometasone, dexamethasone, budesonide

119
Q

What can overuse of steroids lead to?

A

GC’s:
Drug induced Cushing’s syndrome
Osteoporosis

Increased risk of infection

120
Q

Which drugs are used to target steroidogensis?

A

Aminoglutethimide
Metyrapone
Tetracosatide/Stnacthen

121
Q

What does aminoglutethimide do and what is it used for?

A

Inhibits enzymes in steroid synthesis
Pregnenolone synthase
21-, 11B-, and 18-hydroxylase
Aromatase (E production from T)

Used:
Cushings
Postmenopausal Breast Cancer
Prostate cancer

122
Q

What does Metyrapone do and what is it used for? what are the SE’s?

A

Inhibits 11B-hydroxylase
Reduced GC and MC synthesis

Used:
Cushings
Hyperaldosteronism

SE’s: hirsutism in women because of excess androgens

123
Q

What does tetracosatide/synacthen do and what is it used for?

A

Synthetic peptide and ACTH analogue
Stimulates synthesis and release of adrenal hormones
Used to diagnose adrenal cortical insufficiency